Hooded garment which converts into a purse

ABSTRACT

A hooded garment which can be converted into a purse. The garment, having the appearance of a jacket, sweater, sweatshirt, etc. will have a zipper ( 2 ) sewn into the opening of the hood ( 4 ), beginning at the location corresponding to the crown of the head and ending at the location corresponding to the collar bone. This provides the ability to zip the hood ( 4 ) closed, creating an enclosed hood ( 1 ). The body of the garment ( 16 ) should then be inserted into the hood enclosure ( 1 ). The invention also includes a pouch ( 30 ) attached to a shoulder strap ( 20 ) in the fashion of a small purse. The pouch ( 30 ) can be detached from the shoulder strap ( 20 ) and placed inside the hood enclosure ( 1 ). The shoulder strap ( 20 ) can then be attached to the hood enclosure ( 1 ), creating a complete purse ( 36 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to convertible clothing, specifically to an improved function in garments. Originally garments such as jackets and sweaters, once removed had to be carried over your arm, hung over your purse or tied around your waist. This is an inconvenience and creates a problem, because when the garment is hung over your arm or purse it can fall and become stained. It can be lost or get too heavy. It can also cause stretching of the garment. Short sleeved jackets and sleeveless garments don't even have the option to be tied around your waist. It is unattractive to carry your garment in this way. Inventors have created several types of convertible garments in an attempt to solve some of these problems, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,251 to Hopkins (1984) wherein the folding process was too complicated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,689 to Hager (1983) wherein the garment was of an outdated style after transformation, and seemed limited to being carried around the waist. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,042 to DeWan (1990) wherein the converted garment did not have the benefit of looking like an actual purse after transformation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,853 to Argento, et. al. (1977) wherein the garment did not have a protective hood and also had too many steps in the folding process. U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,066 to Pearsall (1982) wherein the folding process was too complicated and the garment was limited to being worn around the waist after conversion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,334 to Pearsall (1982) was limited to female use and also had a complicated folding process. U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,709 to DeLott (1987) had too many steps in the conversion process. All of the convertible garments heretofore mentioned suffer from a number of disadvantages most often including complicated and lengthy folding and conversion processes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the average upper body garment, however such garment can be converted into a purse by removing the garment and zipping it up in the normal fashion. The hood, which has a zipper sewn into it's opening, that zips from the location corresponding to the crown of the head towards the location corresponding to the area of the collar bone, meeting the top of the separating zipper, creates an enclosure out of the hood. The body of the garment, which primarily consists of: a left and a right sleeve, a front of the garment (which can include a left and a right side of the garment), and a back of the garment, folds into the hood enclosure, which becomes the body of the purse. In combination with the garment is a small pouch attached to a shoulder strap with swivel hooks, in the fashion of a small purse. Once the body of the garment is inserted into the hood enclosure, the small pouch is unhooked from the shoulder strap and placed inside the hood enclosure. The shoulder strap is then hooked into the corresponding D-rings located at the base of the back of the hood and at the front of the hood, forming a complete purse.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are: when the garment is taken off it can be converted into a purse, thus providing a dual purpose. Another object of this invention is to provide an attractive method for carrying the garment while it is not being worn, therefore also protecting it from soiling and stretching. This invention provides a place to store items, as opposed to carrying those items in the pockets of the garment, preventing the need to transfer each item individually, thus keeping these items secure. An additional advantage of our invention is that it is very easily converted from an article of clothing to a purse and vice versa. Other objects and advantages of our invention include that it appears to be an ordinary garment when not converted and that it does not require complicated folding, tying or knotting procedures, as opposed to the prior art. Our invention also does not have to be placed on a flat surface during conversion. Our invention has the advantage of having a hood in case of inclement weather. Another object and advantage of our invention is that it can be used just as a purse, but also has the option of becoming a garment in case of change in climate, whether indoor or outdoor. Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of our invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of our invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of our invention, showing the garment closed and the hood zipped shut, during transformation.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective front view of the pouch.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of our invention after conversion into a purse.

Alternate Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of an alternate embodiment of our invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective back view of an alternate embodiment of our invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective angled view of an alternate embodiment of our invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view of an alternate embodiment of our invention, with both drawstrings attached to the d-rings, and the hood enclosed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of an alternate embodiment of our invention, showing the body of the garment being inserted into the hood enclosure during conversion into a tote bag.

FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of an alternate embodiment of our invention after conversion into a tote bag.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS Preferred Embodiment

 1 enclosed hood  2 zipper  4 hood  5 fabric strip  6 d-ring  8L left sleeve  8R right sleeve 10 separating zipper 12 front of the garment 14 back of the garment 16 body of the garment 17 fabric strip 18 d-ring 20 shoulder strap 22 swivel hook 24 swivel hook 25 fabric strip 26 d-ring 27 fabric strip 28 d-ring 30 pouch 32 zipper 34 whole pouch 36 complete purse

Alternate Embodiment

 1 enclosed hood  2 zipper  4 hood  8L left sleeve  8R right sleeve 10 separating zipper 12 front of the garment 14 back of the garment 16 body of the garment 38 left drawstring 40 right drawstring 42 cordstop 43 mouth of the tote bag 44 swivel hook 46 eyelet 48 eyelet 49 fabric strip 50 d-ring 52 d-ring 54 eyelet 55 channel 56 swivel hook 58 fabric strip 60 complete tote bag

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred Embodiment FIGS. 1-5

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The invention, in this embodiment, is comprised of a hood 4 and a body of the garment 16. Said hood 4 has a zipper 2 sewn into its opening. Said body of the garment 16 is comprised of a front of the garment 12, a back of the garment 14, a left sleeve 8L, a right sleeve 8R, a d-ring 6, a fabric strip 5, and a separating zipper 10. (Said body of the garment 16 also includes and a d-ring 18 and a fabric strip 17, which are shown in FIG. 2.)

FIG. 2 shows an enclosed hood 1, which is comprised of said zipper 2 (which is now closed), and said hood 4. FIG. 2 also shows said body of the garment 16 which is comprised of the back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, said right sleeve 8R, said fabric strip 17, and said d-ring 18. (Said body of the garment 16 also includes said front of garment 12, said d-ring 6, said fabric strip 5, and said separating zipper 10 which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.)

FIG. 3 shows an enclosed hood 1, which is comprised of said zipper 2 which is now closed, and said hood 4. FIG. 3 also shows said body of the garment 16, which is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said left sleeve 8L, said right sleeve 8R, said d-ring 6, said fabric strip 5, and said separating zipper 10. (Said body of the garment 16 also includes said back of the garment 14, said d-ring 18 and said fabric strip 17, which are shown in FIG. 2.)

FIG. 4 shows a whole pouch 34, which is comprised of a shoulder strap 20, two swivel hooks 22 and 24, and a pouch 30. Said pouch 30 includes two d-rings 26 and 28, two fabric strips 25 and 27, and a zipper 32.

FIG. 5 shows a complete purse 36 which is comprised of said shoulder strap 20, said swivel hooks 22 and 24, said d-rings 6 and 18, said fabric strips 5 and 17, and said enclosed hood 1. Also partially shown in FIG. 5 is said body of the garment 16. Shown to be hidden inside said enclosed hood 1 is said pouch 30. Said enclosed hood 1 is comprised of said zipper 2 which is now closed, and said hood 4. (Said body of the garment 16 is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, said right sleeve 8R, said d-rings 6 and 18, said fabric strips 5 and 17, and said separating zipper 10, which are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Said pouch 30 includes said d-rings 26 and 28, said fabric strips 25 and 27, and said zipper 32 which are shown in FIG. 4.)

Operation of Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the first step in converting the garment into a purse (after removing the garment from your body), which is zipping separating zipper 10. FIG. 3 shows step two of the conversion process, which is zipping zipper 2, so that zipper 2 meets separating zipper 10. The third step in the conversion process is to insert the body of the garment 16 into hood enclosure 1, leaving d-rings 6 and 18 exposed. The fourth step in the conversion process is to release the shoulder strap 20 from d-rings 26 and 28, by unhooking swivel hooks 22 and 24, and then inserting the pouch 30 into hood enclosure 1. Step five of the conversion process is to attach the shoulder strap 20 to the hood enclosure 1 by hooking swivel hooks 22 and 24 onto d-rings 6 and 18 creating a complete purse 36 (shown in FIG. 5).

Alternate Embodiment FIGS. 6-11

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. The invention, in this embodiment, is comprised of said hood 4 and said body of the garment 16. Said hood 4 has said zipper 2 sewn into its opening and has attached to it a d-ring 50, a fabric strip 49, two eyelets 46 and 48, two drawstrings 38 and 40 (which are partially encased by a channel 55), a cordstop 42, and a swivel hook 44. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, said right sleeve 8R, and said separating zipper 10. (Said hood 4 also has attached to it a d-ring 52, a fabric strip 58, an eyelet 54, and a swivel hook 56 which are shown in FIG. 7.)

FIG. 7 shows said hood 4 and said body of the garment 16. Said hood 4 has attached to it said fabric strip 58, said d-ring 52, said eyelet 54, said drawstring 38, said channel 55 partially encasing said drawstring 38, which has said swivel hook 56 attached to it. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, is comprised of said back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, and said right sleeve 8R. (Said hood 4 also has a zipper 2 sewn into it, and said d-ring 50, said fabric strip 49, said eyelets 46 and 48, said drawstring 40, said cordstop 42, and said swivel hook 44 attached to it, which are shown in FIG. 6. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, also includes said front of the garment 12, and said separating zipper 10 shown in FIG. 6. Said channel 55 also partially encases said drawstring 40 as shown in FIG. 8.)

FIG. 8 shows said hood 4, and a partial view of said body of the garment 16. Said hood 4 has said zipper 2 sewn into its opening and said fabric strips 49 and 58, said d-rings 50 and 52, said drawstrings 38 and 40 (which are partially encased by said channel 55), said eyelets 46 and 54, said swivel hooks 44 and 56, and said cordstop 42 attached to it. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, and said separating zipper 10. (Said hood 4 also has said eyelet 48 attached to it as shown in FIG. 6. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, also includes said right sleeve 8R which is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.)

FIG. 9 shows an enclosed hood 1, and a partial view of said body of the garment 16. Said enclosed hood 1 is comprised of said zipper 2, and said hood 4. Said hood 4 has said fabric strips 49 and 58, said d-rings 50 and 52, said swivel hooks 44 and 56, said drawstrings 38 and 40 (which are partially encased by said channel 55), said eyelets 46 and 54, said cordstop 42 attached to it. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said separating zipper 10, said back of the garment 14, and said left sleeve 8L. (Said hood 4 also has said eyelet 48 attached to it as shown in FIG. 6. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, also includes said right sleeve 8R which is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.)

FIG. 10 shows a complete tote bag 60 and a partial view of the body of the garment 16. Said complete tote bag 60 is comprised of said enclosed hood 1, said eyelets 48 and 54, said drawstrings 38 and 40, said swivel hooks 44 and 56, said d-rings 50 and 52, said fabric strips 49 and 58, said cordstop 42, said channel 55, and a mouth of the tote bag 43. Said enclosed hood 1 is comprised of said hood 4 and said zipper 2. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, is comprised of said front of the garment 12, said back of the garment 14, said left sleeve 8L, and said separating zipper 10. (Said complete tote bag also includes said eyelet 46, shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9. Said body of the garment 16, in this embodiment, also includes said right sleeve 8R also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.)

FIG. 11 shows said complete tote bag 60. Said complete tote bag 60 is comprised of said enclosed hood 1, said eyelets 48 and 54, said drawstrings 38 and 40, said swivel hooks 44 and 56, said d-rings 50 and 52, said fabric strips 49 and 58, said channel 55, and said mouth of the tote bag 43. Said enclosed hood 1 is comprised of said hood 4 and said zipper 2. Also shown in FIG. 11 is a very small portion of said front of the garment 12 and said back of the garment 14. (Said complete tote bag 60 also includes said cordstop 42 which is shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 10.)

Operation of Alternate Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows the first step in converting the garment into a tote bag (after removing from your body) which is zipping the separating zipper 10. Step two of the conversion process is zipping zipper 2, so that zipper 2 meets separating zipper 10. The third step in the conversion process is to pull drawstring 38 (which is free moving and partially encased within channel 55) through eyelet 54 until cordstop 42 meets eyelet 46. The fourth step in the conversion process is to insert the body of the garment 16 into the enclosed hood 1. The fifth step in the conversion process is to attach swivel hook 44 to d-ring 50 and swivel hook 56 to d-ring 52 creating a complete tote bag 60. The sixth step in the conversion process is to close the mouth of the tote bag 43 by holding onto the mouth of the tote bag 43 and pulling on drawstring 38 and drawstring 40 (which is stationary and partially encased within the channel 55), one at a time, thus completing the conversion process, and creating a complete tote bag 60.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

Thus the reader will see that the convertible garment of the invention provides a highly reliable, economical article of clothing that can be worn by persons of any age. While our above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of two preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example: the garment can be made of any kind of flexible fabric or material that lends itself to sewing and conversion. It can be any color, size, or style that includes an enclosing hood. The garment can include or exclude pockets, waist bands, wrist bands, decorative embellishments, a collar, short, long or no sleeves, etc. The garment does not have to be a zippered article of clothing; it can resemble a sweatshirt design. The garment is also not limited to having an attached hood. It can have a removable hood, as long as it is an enclosing hood. The garment can have any shoulder strap size and can be made out of numerous materials. The shoulder strap can be attached to the garment in various fashions and does not have to be attached to a pouch. The shoulder strap can also be attached to the garment in various locations. Its closing and/or attaching apparatus' are not limited to swivel hooks, zippers, and d-rings. Parachute buckles, snaps, circular rings, fabric loops, buttons, hook and loop, belt buckles, etc. can also be used. The garment can be used by not only females, but has alternate embodiments that are gender neutral. The garment can also be made to fit an animal such as a dog or cat. The garment can have a lining, but does not require one. The pouch included in the preferred embodiment can also have any of the aforementioned applicable variations, and can also be exchanged for an existing purse or pouch that lends itself to attachment to the shoulder strap, and insertion into an enclosed hood. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, comprising: (a) a hood (b) means for enclosing said hood (c) a body of the garment (d) a length of flexible elongated material (e) means for attaching said flexible elongated material to said hood.
 2. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 further including: (a) a pouch (b) means for attaching said length of flexible elongated material to said pouch.
 3. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 further including one or more lengths of flexible elongated material.
 4. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 3 further including means for attaching said one or more lengths of flexible elongated material to one or more locations on said hood.
 5. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 3 further including means for said one or more lengths of flexible elongated materials to be partially encased within said article of clothing.
 6. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 5 further including means for said one or more lengths of flexible elongated material to be free moving within said one or more partial encasements within said article of clothing.
 7. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 5 further including means for said one or more lengths of flexible elongated material to be stationary within said one or more partial encasements within said article of clothing.
 8. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 6 further including one or more openings in said one or more partial encasements wherein said one or more lengths of flexible elongated material can protrude from said article of clothing.
 9. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 wherein said means for enclosing said hood is a zipper.
 10. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 wherein said length of flexible elongated material is a shoulder strap.
 11. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said flexible elongated material to said hood are swivel hooks and d-rings.
 12. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 3 wherein said one or more lengths of flexible elongated material are drawstrings.
 13. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 8 further including means for preventing the ends of said one or more lengths of flexible elongated materials from passing through said openings in said one or more partial encasements and becoming difficult to retrieve.
 14. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 13 wherein said means for preventing the ends of said one or more lengths of flexible elongated materials from passing through said openings in said one or more partial encasements are one or more cordstops.
 15. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 8 wherein said one or more openings in said one or more partial encasements are eyelets.
 16. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 1 wherein said body of the garment is comprised of (a) a right sleeve (b) a left sleeve (c) a front of the garment (d) a back of the garment
 17. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 16 wherein said front of the garment is comprised of (a) a left side of the garment (b) a right side of the garment.
 18. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 17 wherein said left and right side of the garment are adjoined by means of fastening.
 19. The article of clothing, convertible into a carrying bag, and vice versa, of claim 18 wherein said means of fastening is a separating zipper. 